Name change by deed poll to remarry

wafflewaffle

Has anyone else had a similar scenario?

I've been divorced for 14 years and immediately changed my name to my maiden name. Didn't need to do it by deed poll as banks, car licence and everything else accepted my birth certificate and decree absolute.

Fast forward 14 years and we're due to get married in 3 months time. Go to give notice and they tell me that they want proof of my name change back to my maiden name (either deed poll document or original marriage certificate). Well I didn't have a deed poll document as I didn't need one and I don't have my old marriage certificate (I was married in Antigua so hard chance of getting a copy of that and the original was sent to the courts and kept when I was divorced).

Do you think getting a deed poll name change now would suffice? The registrars don't really know what to suggest or what to do and aren't being very helpful!

Or anyone else out there who has remarried who had neither their old wedding certificate or deed poll. What did you take with you to give notice?

Thanks

*~Zephyr~*

I think you should go back and ask to speak to a different registrar - one who knows more about this, because what they have told you is wrong.

This is what a Barrister told me when I divorced: You only ever have ONE name, and that is the one on your birth certificate. Any other name you choose to use (including taking a husband's name) is just a pseudonym. You do NOT need to have a deed poll to use a married name and you certainly do NOT need to have a deed poll to revert back to your maiden name.

The registrar MUST accept your birth certificate as proof of name. However, it might help if you can take bank statements / Council Tax bills with you just to show that you are using your birth name during the course of normal life.

TBagpuss

This is what a Barrister told me when I divorced: You only ever have ONE name, and that is the one on your birth certificate. Any other name you choose to use (including taking a husband's name) is just a pseudonym. You do NOT need to have a deed poll to use a married name and you certainly do NOT need to have a deed poll to revert back to your maiden name.

this is not strictly correct. You can chose to use whatever name ou want but they are no pseudonyms. Your legal name is whatever name ou use intending it to be your legal name. Change of name deeds are needed where you have an organisiation which requires some form of written proof.

Go back to the registrar. Take your birth certificate, decree absolute and passport and explain that you are [legal name] and have changed your name by usage. If they are concerned there is no reason why notice cannot be given as [current name] formally [previous name].

wafflewaffle

Thanks guys! I couldn't see any reason either so I'll certainly go in with a hoard of ID!